We’ve reached a strange–some would say unusual–point. While fighting world hunger continues to be the matter of vital importance according to a recent report from the World Health Organization, more people now die from being overweight, or say, from being extremely fat, than from being underweight. It’s the good life that’s more likely to kill us these days.

Worse still, nearly 18 million children under the age of five around the world are estimated to be overweight. What’s going on?

We really don’t have many excuses for our weight problems. The dangers of the problem have been drilled into us by public–health campaigns since 2001 and the message is getting through-up to a point.

In the 1970s, Finland, for example, had the highest rate of heart disease in the world and being overweight was its main cause. Not any more. A public–health campaign has greatly reduced the number of heart disease deaths by 80 percent over the past three decades.

Maybe that explains why the percentage of people in Finland taking diet pills doubled between 2001 and 2005, and doctors even offer surgery of removing fat inside and change the shape of the body. That has become a sort of fashion. No wonder it ranks as the world’s most body –conscious country.

We know what we should be doing to lose weight—but actually doing it is another matter. By far the most popular excuse is not taking enough exercise. More than half of us admit we lack willpower. Others blame good food. They say: it’s just too inviting and it makes them overeat. Still others lay the blame on the Americans, complaining that pounds have piled on thanks to eating too much American–style fast food.

Some also blame their parents—their genes. But unfortunately, the parents are wronged because they’re normal in shape, or rather slim.

It’s a similar story around the world, although people are relatively unlikely to have tried to lose weight. Parents are eager to see their kids shape up. Do as I say—not as I do.

24. What’s the “strange” point mentioned in the first sentence?

A. The good life is a greater risk than the bad life.

B. Starvation is taking more people’s lives in the world.

C. WHO report shows people’s unawareness of food safety.

D. Overweight issue remains unresolved despite WHO’s efforts.

25. Why does the author think that people have no excuse for being overweight?

A. A lot of effective diet pills are available.

B. Body image has nothing to do with good food.

C. They have been made fully aware of its dangers.

D. There are too many overweight people in the world.

26. The example of Finland is used to illustrate _______.

A. the cause of heart disease B. there are too many overweight people in the world

C. the effectiveness of a campaign D. the fashion of body shaping

27. Which would be the best title for the passage?

A. Actions or Excuses B. Overweight or Underweight

C. WHO in a Dilemma D. No Longer Dying of Hunger

C

It is said that there’s no such things as a free lunch, but even if yomanage to bag a bargain meal, it will not taste as good as a more expensive choice, according to scientists.

A new study has found that restaurant goers who pay more for the food is tastier than offered for a smaller price. The experts think that people tend to associate cost with quality and this changes their perception(感知)of how food tastes.

Scientists at Cornell University studied the eating habits of 139 people who enjoy an Italian buffet in a restaurant. The price of the food was set by the researchers at either $4 or $8 for the all–you–can–eat meal. Customers were asked to rate how good the food tasted, the quality of the restaurant and to leave their names.

The experiment showed that the people who paid $8 enjoyed their meal 11% more than those who ate the “cheaper” buffet. Interestingly those that paid for the $4 buffet said they felt guiltier about loading up their plates and felt that they overate. However, the scientists said that both groups ate around the same quantity of food in total.

Brian Wansink, a professor of consumer behavior at the university, said: “we were fascinated to find that pricing has little effect on how much one eats, but a huge effect on how yointerpret the experience.” He thinks that people enjoyed their food more as they associated cost with quality and that small changes to a restaurant can change how tasty people find their meals.

In a previous study, researchers from the university showed that people who eat in bright lighting consume more than eat in less brightly lit areas.

28. We can learn from the passage that _______ .

A. there were 139 subjects involved in the new study

B. a free lunch might be as delicious as yoexpected

C. the high pricing will change the exact taste of the food

D. in the experiment, the price of the food ranged from $4 to $10

29. Which of the factors has an effect on the quantity of food a person consumes?

A. The taste of the food. B. The price of the food.

C. The number of companions. D. The lighting of the restaurant.

30. Who will benefit from the new study?